Trailer hitch



D. C. GREWE TRAILER HITCH June 13, 1950 2 Shets-Sheet 1 Filed March 25, 1947 Fig". 2

Inventor Dan C. Gre we June 13, 1950 D. c. GREWE 2,511,257

TRAILER HITCH Filed March 25, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 22 {mi i 5460 Inventor Dan C. Gre we latented June 13, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention appertains to novel and useful improvements in attachment for tractors.

An object of this invention is to provide a tractor attachment characterized by means for swivelly connecting the draw bar of implements to conventional tractors.

Another object of this invention is to provide a swivel connection for the purpose described above, said connection capable of swivel movement in a horizontal plane and capable of rotational movement in a plane parallel to the swivel motion plane.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved means for removably securing the present invention to conventional draw bar elements of a tractor.

A further object of this invention is to provide an extremely simple, rapidly attachable and .detachable device for connecting implements to a conventional tractor.

Other objects and features of novelty will become apparent to those skilled in the art, in following the description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the preferred form of the present invention, secured to pertions of a conventional tractor;

Figure 2 is a plan view-of the invention disclosed in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the invention disclosed in Figure 2 and taken substantially on the line 33 thereof and in the direction of the arrows; v

Figure 4 is an elevational end view of the invention disclosed in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional detail of the invention disclosed in Figure 3 and taken substantially on the line 5-5 thereof and in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a detail of construction showing the rotatable means for securing elements of farm equipment and the like to the invention;

Figure 7 is a sectional detail of construction, taken substantially on the line 'i'-'! of Figure 2 and in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a bearing block utilized in the present invention, and

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the swivel platform and rotatable means forming part of the present invention.

Referring now in detail to the illustrated preferred embodiment of the present invention, like reference characters are used throughout to indicate similar elements thereof.

This invention has been developed to provide a device adapted to be easily and quickly see cured to the conventional draw bar elements of tractors and serve the purpose of providing an improved hitch for securing implements thereto. The device permits movement in certain predetermined directions and planes while it prohibits movement in Others.

A pair of rails l0 and I2 respectively are held in fixed parallel relation by spacer plates I4, 16 and 58 respectively. The preferred construction of the said rails is triangular in cross section and of any suitable material, preferably metallic.

A bearing block 20 is provided between said rails it and I2 and at one pair of ends thereof. A bearing plate 22 fixedly received for the top portion of said bearing block and terminates adjacent the top of said triangular rails Ill and I2. An aperture 24 is provided in said block 20 and, if so desired, an insert 26 may be provided in said aperture for improved wear character? istics. A platform 28 ispivoted to said bearing block by some suitable means, preferably a pin 3t extending through a suitable aperture in the said platform 28 and through the aperture 24. mentioned herein above. It is readily apparent that by this construction, swivel platform movement is restricted to substantially a single horizonal plane. A pair of brackets 32, which for con,- venience may be portions of angle iron, are fixedly secured to the said platform 28 by any suitable conventional means such as welding, brazing or the like. Aligned apertures are provided in said brackets, for the purpose of receiving a rotatable element therein. This rotatable ele; ment is seen particularly well in Figure 6 wherein a substantially rectangular block 34 is provided with a pair of stub shafts 36 extending from the side thereof. These shafts 36 are adapted to be received in the apertures in the said brackets 32 thereby permitting rotatable movement of said plate 34. It is seen that the direction of rotation may be clockwise or counter-clockwise however the rotation is restricted to movement in a plane substantially parallel to the swivel movement of the platform 28. Means for limiting the movement of the rotatable element 34, axially of said stub shafts 36, is provided. This means consists of utilizing the end surfaces 38 of the said plate 34 and pins 40 extending through the shaft adjacent the terminal portions thereof. It is readily apparent from an inspection of Figure 4 that these pins 40 and the surfaces 38 abut the brackets 32 thereby providing a limiting means. It will be noted from Figure 3 that another one of these pins 40 are utilized in connection with the pivot pin 30 described hereinbefore. An aperture 42 is provided substantially at the center of the said plate 34 for the purpose of receivin the usual pin and draw bar of various farm implements.

At the opposite ends of said rails I and 12, there is a bearing surface 44 engageable with the usual tractor cantilever end portions 45. Intermediate the ends of the rails l0 and [2 there is provided means for removably securing the device through the usual draw bar elements 48 and 50 respectively. A pair of collars 52 is rigidly secured to the said rails and12 by any suitable conventional means such as welding and the like. (See detail in Figure 7.) Pins 54 having suitable handles extending therefrom, are removably received in the said collars 52, extending through the apertures 56 provided in the conventional draw bar-element 48. By this construction it is apparentthatthe rails 10 and I2 and consequently the device is pivoted on the said draw bar elements 48 and 59 and when a force is exerted on the carriage member or platform 28, the bearing surface 44 will engage the said cantilever tractor element 46. In order to prevent bouncing when relatively rough terrain is traversed, a pair of -hook shapedbrackets 60 are 5.:

provided on the undersurface of the said rails l0 and I2, engageable with the draw bar element 48. Obviously, this construction provides a device which permits relatively free movement in said predetermined directions and planes and prohibits movement in other predetermined directions.

The structure above described is utilized particularly well in connection with attaching farm implements to certain types of tractors. The tongue of an ordinary conventional wagon, manure spreader,-pick-u p baler'and the like maybe attached to the bearing block '34 through the utility of a conventional pivot pinconnection. Thus, the tongue is raised above the conventional belt-pulley or power take-off of an ordinary tractor. Further, it provides a flexible connection whichis essential when pulling two-wheeled machinery to prevent breakage of the hitch.

It is seen that the-platform may be pivoted about its pivot pin 30in-asubstantially horizontal plane. By the above --described structure pivotal rotation in a planeperpendicular to the pivot pin 30 (ofthe platform-28) is impossible. This pivotal movement takes place entirely through the utility of the spaced brackets =32 with the bearing member 34 rotatively received therein. Further, the positionwhere this pivotal movement takes pla-ceisspaced above from the platform 28 in order to allow a slight rocking movement of the conventional wagon or other vehicle drawbar'tongue.

jecting portion and a draw bar having apertures,

a hitch .comprising a pair of spaced substantially parallel rails resting on the draw bar and enigaging the undersurface of the projecting portion, a bearing block secured to said rails, a platformga pivot pin extending through said platform and positioned in said bearing block, a pair of apertured spaced brackets attached to-said platform having -a-pair of shafts journaled therein, said shafts being connected by an apertured block, the longitudinal axis'of said shafts being substantially perpendicular to said pivot pin.

For use in a tractor which includes a projecting portion and-a draw bar having apertures, a hitch comprising a-pair of spaced substantially parallel rails resting on the drawbar and engagin the undersurface of the projecting portion, a bearing block secured to said rails,.a. platform, a pivot pin extending through said platform and positioned in said'bearing block, a pair of apertured spaced brackets attached to said platform having a pair of shafts journaled therein, said shafts being connected by an apertured block, the longitudinal axis of said shafts being substantially perpendicular to said pivot pin, and means on the draw bar engaging opposite sides of said parallel rails maintaining said rails rigidly mounted on the draw bar with respect to sliding movement of the parallel rails on the draw bar.

3. The combination of claim 2 and spacer plates attached to said parallel rails.

4. The combination of claim 2 and a pair of clamping devices attached to the undersurface of said substantially parallel rails and lockingly engaging the tractor draw bar.

DAN C. -GREWE.

REFERENCES "CITED The following references .are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES .P-ATENTS Number Name Date 13412334 'Bleoo Apr. 18, "1922 2,212,958 Rea Aug. 27, 1940 

